Business

Going global: 6 opportunities to take advantage of when working abroad

Young Americans are a shockingly mobile workforce. A recent large-scale study revealed that 59% of Americans between 21 and 30 years of age are willing to work overseas — and while Americans’ willingness to relocate still ranks low compared to the global workforce, U.S. millennials are significantly more adventurous than previous generations.

So what’s the appeal? In the U.S., many young people entered the workforce during the financial crisis, when jobs back home were scarce. Plus, most millennials value experience and fulfillment more than climbing the corporate ladder or forming longterm relationships with companies — at least for now.

Millennials also have skills that are in demand around the world, thanks to America’s well-recognized universities, an increased emphasis on foreign language and a built-in fluency in the international language of business.

Meanwhile, others are looking for that one thing you can’t get any other way: Life experience.

What better time to explore and learn about the world than when you’re young without a mortgage, kids or career obligations?

Accepting a job abroad? Take advantage of these opportunities

If you’re one of those mobile millennials looking for a job overseas — or if you’ve already accepted one — there are several opportunities you should take advantage of during your time abroad.

Engage: The best way to get the most out of your experience abroad is through immersing yourself in the culture and engaging with the locals. Get to know people, say yes to new experiences, try strange foods and let your friends take you to their families’ homes for local holidays.

This isn’t just personally enriching; as the world grows more connected and international experience becomes more valued by employers, it’s imperative to have a working knowledge of a global clientele and be able to successfully navigate cultural differences.

Teach: No matter what your day job is, there is guaranteed to be an opportunity to teach while you’re abroad. Whether you’re giving breakdancing lessons to retirees in Mexico or teaching yoga to kids in Turkey, you have knowledge people want. Not only does teaching give you the chance to share your skills with others, but it’s also a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures and build relationships.

Study: Although there are thousands of opportunities to learn informally while abroad, you’re more likely to consistently study and remember courses you pay for. Taking classes in the country where you work is an excellent way to build your skills while learning about other cultures and interacting with the locals. As an added bonus, the money you pay to learn regional crafts or languages helps boost the local economy.

Travel: Living abroad gives you an incredible opportunity to see parts of the world you’d never experience on a two-week vacation. Take advantage of day trips to small towns and tourist sites near the city where you’re living. Go hiking in little-known national parks. Buy a Eurail pass and see Europe. Take a riverboat ride through the Amazon. Take advantage of low-cost airlines like Ryanair and AirAsia. Travel is surprisingly affordable when you’re not paying top prices to stay in resorts or fly from one side of the continent to the other.

Volunteer: Volunteering gives you access to communities and people you would never otherwise meet. Not only can you gain perspective into what other people’s lives and cultures are like, but you can also form deep relationships with people who need help or who are as committed to your passions as you are. Check out Idealist for diverse listings or WWOOF for information about working on organic farms.

Volunteering offers you a fresh perspective and the chance to make a difference in the world, and it can also help you build skills relevant to your career.

Network: Ask around about other opportunities to gain experience related to your interests in your host country. Your employer and coworkers are good resources, but you can also find local chapters of relevant professional organizations or join a sports team or club.

Working and living abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you won’t regret taking advantage of every moment you’re overseas.

What you need to succeed abroad

It’s easy to move abroad with preconceived ideas about other cultures, but to have the most enriching experience, it’s important to be open to new experiences. Adjust your expectations to realize:

You’re going to be uncomfortable: The reason living abroad is such a good learning experience is because it isn’t easy. In addition to being frequently embarrassed, you’ll often be overwhelmed by tasks that would be relatively simple in your home country. The burden is on you to learn about and comply with cultural differences in your host country.

The best way to prepare for this is to educate yourself in advance. Take advantage of online resources and message boards to learn about local customs, and use sites like Duolingo and Memrise to brush up on your language skills.

You’re going to change: It’s impossible to interact with new ideas, people and cultures and walk away unchanged. Keeping a journal, staying in touch with people back home and building close friendships abroad can make this easier. Think of the change and growth you experience as a way of getting closer to the life and career you want.

Above all, remember to stay open-minded and maintain a go-with-the-flow attitude. That’s the best way to get the most out of your experiences.

As a job seeker in your 20s or 30s, there’s never been a better time to gain international experience. Working abroad can advance your career and encourage an interest and passion for traveling that will last a lifetime.

What advice do you have for workers accepting an international assignment? Tell us in the comments.

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